Photos

Book Kathrine for Your Event

Kathrine Switzer is an acclaimed speaker who addresses corporations, business conferences, universities and special interest groups with a message that goes far beyond running. Her inspiring, authentic and high-energy delivery of creating success in a difficult environment, turning negatives into opportunities, and fearlessly implementing social and cultural change has made many positive differences in lives and businesses. Please consider her for your next event!

Press Photos

This collection of photos is suggested to accompany material about Kathrine Switzer. You may download any of them individually by clicking on the photo. For your convenience the photos below are available in this zip file along with a PDF of the caption and credit copy:

1967 Boston Marathon

In 1967, irate race official Jock Semple tried forcibly to remove Kathrine Switzer from the then all-male Boston Marathon simply because she was a woman. Luckily for Switzer, her boyfriend bounced the official out of the race instead and she went on to finish. Switzer was inspired by the incident to create running events for women all over the world and was a leader in getting the women’s marathon into the Olympic Games. Photo on left is Semple pursuing Switzer, middle photo is Switzer’s boyfriend hitting Semple, right photo is Semple being bounced off the racecourse.

When this photo first appeared in 1967, this was the original caption:
“Hopkinton, Mass, April 19, 1967: Who says chivalry is dead? When a girl listed as ‘K. Switzer from Syracuse’ found herself about to be thrown out of normally all-male Boston Marathon today, husky companion Thomas Miller of Syracuse threw block that tossed race official out of the running instead. Sequence show Jock Semple, official, moving in to intercept Miss Switzer, then being bounced himself by Miller. Photos by Harry Trask of Boston Traveler. “

Photo: Boston Herald. Any use of this photo whatsoever must be credited to the Boston Herald.

Cover: Marathon Woman, 50th anniversary edition 2017

Cover of Kathrine Switzer’s memoir, Marathon Woman. (DaCapo Press). In honor of her running the Boston Marathon on the 50th anniversary of her first historic run in 1967, her best-selling book Marathon Woman (DaCapo Press) is being re-launched in an updated edition that includes a new introduction directed to the women of 2017. Runners and non-runners alike relate to Kathrine’s determination and fearlessness in pushing though barriers, and more and more of them use the book as a way to inspire themselves in their own challenges, and laugh with her over her self-deprecating humor. Rich Benyo, Editor of Marathon & Beyond Magazine, says: “This is the most important running book in the last 10 years.” Lisa Jackson, Contributing Editor of Women’s Running Magazine (UK) states: “This is one of the best running books I’ve ever read. But a warning! Do not read this book while you’re alone as parts of it are so funny or moving you’ll deeply regret not having had someone to read them out aloud to! Kathrine keeps you feverishly turning the pages…I just loved it!”

Portrait: Kathrine Switzer, 2017

Kathrine Switzer poses with a replica of her first Boston Marathon bib number 261, Friday 24 February 2017 in Wellington, New Zealand. Credit: Hagen Hopkins.

Portrait: Kathrine Switzer, 2017

Portrait: Kathrine Switzer, 2017

Kathrine Switzer poses with a replica of her first Boston Marathon bib number 261, Friday 24 February 2017 in Wellington, New Zealand. Credit: Hagen Hopkins.

Portrait: Kathrine Switzer, 2011

Portrait of Kathrine Switzer taken in May 2011, in the apple orchards near her American home in the Hudson Valley of New York State. Photo credit: Joan Barker Images

2011 BMW Berlin Marathon

Kathrine Switzer, age 64, at the finish of her 39th marathon, the 2011 BMW Berlin Marathon. She was given an elite bib number and started the race alongside world record holders Paula Radcliffe and Patrick Makau, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. She did not stay with these runners long! She finished in 4:36. Photo credit: marathonfoto.com

A mile to go, Motatapu

Kathrine Switzer with a mile to go in the difficult Motatapu Icebreaker, an all off-road mountain marathon in the South Island of New Zealand. 2010.

Kathrine Switzer with a mile to go in the difficult Motatapu Off-Road Marathon, in the South Island of New Zealand. 2010.

Who is Kathrine Switzer?

Iconic athlete, sports and social advocate, author, and Emmy award-winning television commentator, Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to officially enter and run the Boston Marathon. She has been honored widely for her achievements, most recently being inducted into the USA National Women’s Hall of Fame for creating positive social change. The ramifications of this work is both joyful and profound, changing forever the face of sports, health, and opportunities for women around the world and fearlessly empowering millions beyond the finish line, especially through the non-profit “261® Fearless, Inc.”